Manny Ramirez
The biggest name out there. We've talked about the highs and lows of "Manny Being Manny" many times. While we don't believe he hasn't received any offers, we do believe his agent Scott Boras has not received the expected offers. The Dodgers are still the favorites to land him, and today it was reported they made a new 1 year, $25 million offer. But Manny foolishly rejected it.
The Giants are said to be in contact with Manny, but will only do a deal if it's right for them.
Albert Pujols has publicly campaigned for the Cardinals to pursue Ramirez, but we don't see the Cards forking over that kind of money. St. Louis would certainly embrace Manny, so maybe a 1 year discounted amount would do. That and the thought of batting behind Pujols.
The Mets continue to insist they aren't going to sign him, while Mets fans continue to call in radio shows imploring the Mets to snatch Manny up. While taking part in some recent charity work, manager Jerry Manuel said he'd love to have Manny.
Some of our fellow Yankees fans continue to insist that the Yankees sign him and then deal Swisher and Nady. Enough free agent signings already.
We've said it before and we'll say it again. The Orioles should sign Manny. He would destroy Camden Yards and help bring in fans.
Adam Dunn
Dunn's lack of a deal is partially due to the lack of a deal by Manny. Dunn is the Plan 'B' to the Plan 'A' of Manny. Dunn would like to play for the Dodgers, but that won't happen unless Manny goes elsewhere. The Washington Post reported on January 19th that Dunn wanted 4 years, $56 million. That is a mere pittance by today's standards.
There are clearly teams that would go to Dunn now, but you can bet Dunn and his agent are waiting to see when and if Manny gets a deal done. But the longer the wait, the less Dunn is going to end up with. He could conceivably still be sitting out there once position players report to Spring Training.
Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman hopes his team can sign his buddy to a deal. He recently spoke with Pete McElroy of the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.
"I know Adam real well and I've talked to him a few times. He's excited about his situation. Obviously it's a business and that stuff has to work itself out, but he loves it here and a lot of the guys on this team. He's told me he'd like to play here, but I'm sure he's told people in Milwaukee or whoever else is going after him that he'd like to play there too. That's all part of the game and the business, but hopefully one of them or both [second baseman Orlando Hudson] will be here. [Dunn] is a good guy and he knows how to play the game and he's a great baseball talent. We'll see what happens."
Bobby Abreu
Bobby Abreu has driven 100 runs and scored 100 runs in each of the last 6 seasons. Only Alex Rodriguez and Albert Pujols have done the same. And while Abreu is not in the same class as those two, he and his agent, Peter Greenberg, are baffled by the lack of offers coming Abreu's way this off-season.
Abreu made $16 million while with the Yankees last year and, as it turns out, Brian Cashman wisely did not offer Abreu arbitration this off-season. Had Cashman done so, the Yankees would have been saddled with a large, one year contract.
Abreu still puts up good offensive numbers, but his defense has slipped and he has a reputation as a soft player. Still there are teams that could use his offense. But Greenberg told the Times' Tyler Kepner that some offers are predicated on other free agents or teams being able to move bulky salaries.
Such is the case in Seattle, where the Mariners need to move Jarrod Washburn and his $10.5 million income before signing some offensive help.
UPDATE - 2:28 PM EST - Roger Rubin of the Daily News reported that the White Sox have made a 1 year, $8 million offer to Bobby Abreu.
Orlando Hudson
This slick fielding second baseman can't find a home to turn double plays. We've repeatedly heard that the Mets covet him, but not before moving Luis Castillo. Of course, no one is willing to help the Mets out by taking an overpaid guy with bum wheels.
Hudson told the MLB Network that 4 teams are interested in him - the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, and Nationals. Hudson said none of the team said he would need to change positions.
As for the Yankees, we still think it's crazy at this point to deal Robinson Cano. The Dodgers have Blake DeWitt to step into Jeff Kent's cleats in LA, but are said to be thinking of spending money on Hudson and Dunn in place of Manny.
Ben Sheets
Other than the Texas Rangers, there isn't a whole lot of action out there for the oft-injured right-hander. Andy Pettitte's signing meant one less team to get into a bidding war for Sheets' services.
Ken Rosenthal, for one, thinks that Sheets and some of the other free agents could get better deals by actually waiting until the season is underway.
So there you have it- the names above and others - Frank Thomas, Jim Edmonds, etc. - continue to play the waiting game. And spring training is just 9 days away.
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